Pillayan Named Suspect in Five 2008 Eastern Province Murders; Further Remanded

Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has informed the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court that Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, a former Chief Minister and Deputy Minister, is among three suspects linked to five murder incidents that occurred in the Eastern Province in 2008. These incidents involved five individuals being shot dead. Pillayan, who is currently in remand custody for another case, was further remanded until July 24 in connection with these 2008 murder investigations. The CID presented details of these ongoing investigations, which are being conducted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.